I had been across it dozens of times on bike, on foot, and in 4×4, but never realized it was there. An aqueduct. The reason I had noticed it this time were the recent signs of machinery used to clear the ditch of debris and vegetation.
I followed it to the north where it joined up with a stream and a diversion. Then I followed it south where it became elevated as it crossed a gulch. The water sitting in it was still half-frozen.
It can be harsh living at elevation 8300 feet. Especially harsh are the winter winds, blowing with sustained speeds of 40-60 miles per hour, for 5 or 6 days straight. Then an early spring day, like today, comes along and reminds me why I live here.
I hopped on my bike, rode up the peak-to-peak, to an area most people refer to as West Mag (as in magnolia). My original destination was the Champion Mill, but like last time, never made it. Last time I was distracted by an aqueduct, which I should re-post here for completeness. This time I was simply not feeling the energy. I’ve been dealing with a relapse of west nile the past few weeks, which flares-up a couple times a year. This time, after following forest road 355 and taking a unnamed trail, I stopped at a tributary to Beaver Creek.
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